Prevalence of thiopurine S-methyltransferase gene polymorphism and dosage of 6-thioguanine and 6-methylmercaptopurine metabolites in patients with inflammatory bowel disease attended at São Paulo hospital - Universidade Federal de São Paulo

• Grant number: 13/22824-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: March 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Human and Medical Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Ribeiro Paiotti
• Grantee: Ana Paula Ribeiro Paiotti
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Celina Tizuko Fujiyama Oshima ; Jair Ribeiro Chagas ; Joselmo Willamys Duarte ; Nora Manoukian Forones ; Sender Jankiel Miszputen

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the most proeminent forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The etiology in both diseases is unknown, but it has been suggested that genetic, infectious and immunological factors play a role in the inflammatory process and tissue damage. The therapeutic pharmacological approaches include the aminosalicylates, corticosteroids as well as immunosuppressors such as azathioprine (AZA). AZA is the most common drug used to maintain clinical remission in IBDs. However, the treatment with azathioprine leads to some side effects: bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal disturbances, hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis. Gene polymorphism of thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) correlates with decreased enzyme activity which causes an increase in the incidence of these adverse reactions in patients treated with thiopurines. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of thiopurine S-methyltransferase gene polymorphism and the dosage of 6-thioguanine and 6-methylmercaptopurine metabolites in patients with inflammatory bowel disease attended at São Paulo hospital - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, in order to provide data for their use in a safe manner. (AU)